Practical Course of the English Language: Grammar, Phonetics, Practice of Oral and Written Speech

Bachelor 2022/2023

Category 'Best Course for Career Development'

Category 'Best Course for Broadening Horizons and Diversity of Knowledge and Skills'

Type: Compulsory course (Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication)

Area of studies: Linguistics

Delivered by: School of Foreign Languages

Where: School of Foreign Languages

When: 2 year, 1, 2 module

Mode of studies: distance learning

Open to: students of one campus

Instructors: Щипцова Наталья Викторовна, Листопадова Мария Владимировна, Михеева Наталья Дмитриевна, Листопадова Мария Владимировна, Ларсон Ксения Валерьевна, Михеева Наталья Дмитриевна, Ананьева Елена Петровна, Щипцова Наталья Викторовна, Yulia Aleshina, Eliza Aloyan, Yulia Grevtseva, Kseniia Kindenova, Elena Krasilnikova, Daria Ulkhanovna Mirzaeva, Ekaterina Molchanova, Sergey Ryabchun, Tatiana Sidelnikova, Elena Styrina, Elena Terekhova, Mariia Tsygunova, Ksenia Vasilyuk, Пивоварова Анна Алексеевна, Хуснутдинова Екатерина Алексеевна, Сергеева Вероника Константиновна, Пивоварова Анна Алексеевна, Хуснутдинова Екатерина Алексеевна

Language: English

ECTS credits: 8

Contact hours: 154

Full Syllabus Ask Question

Abstract

The “Practical Course of the English Language” is designed for the first and second-year students of the Undergraduate Programme “Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication” and aims at developing students’ English language communicative competence at B2+/С1 levels according to the Common European Framework of Reference. The course immerses students into the field of professional academic interaction focusing on skills and products relevant for successful university education performance. The course syllabus incorporates a wide range of academic input featuring up-to-date discussion topics and providing students with a variety of activities involving individual, group, and project contact and self-study work, receptive, productive, and integrated skills assignments, as well as SMART LMS training.

Learning Objectives

enhance English pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar skills for university studies
develop effective listening, reading, and note-taking skills to work with different types of academic input
develop academic communication writing skills: emails, paragraphs, essays
develop academic communication speaking skills: self-presentation, academic talk, academic discussion

Expected Learning Outcomes

To get awareness of the system of organs of speech and identify the functions of organs of speech
To describe peculiarities of the articulatory basis of the English language
To distinguish between texts of different genres and registers, between general and academic meaning, and between British and American vocabulary variations
To recognise and follow different types of academic listening input
To choose the most appropriate listening strategies and note-taking methods based on the listening purpose
To know grammatical phenomena in different types of academic input
To be able to adopt various reading strategies (skimming, scanning, identifying gist and differentiating details, inferring meaning from context, comprehending writer’s attitude)
To be able to paraphrase, summarise, and synthesise information from various types of texts using appropriate and diverse reporting verbs and phrases to write thesis statements
To understand and express different attitudes, emotions, opinions, and communication purposes in emails by analysing and using appropriate vocabulary and modal verbs
To present oneself in a way that leaves the desired image in accordance with socially and culturally accepted norms of action and behaviour
To structure an academic talk using relevant signposting phrases to facilitate organisation of speech and mark the progression of argumentation
To produce clear, well-structured, detailed texts on different subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices avoiding logical fallacies
To conduct group discussions with audience awareness knowing the structure, purposes of an academic discussion, and speakers’ roles and to communicate opinions effectively relying on relevant arguments and evidence

Course Contents

Section 3. Listening and Note-taking for University Studies
Section 4. Advanced Understanding of the English Tense System
Section 5. Reading for University Studies and Locating and Writing Thesis Statements
Section 6. Academic Communication Skills: University Interaction via Emails
Section 7. Intonation in Context
Section 8. Academic Communication Skills: Self-presentation
Section 9. Academic Communication Skills: Academic Talk
Section 10. Academic Communication Skills: from Paragraph to Essay
Section 11. Academic Communication Skills: Academic Discussion
Year 2. Unit 1. Technology and professional orientation
Year 2. Unit 2. Professional development in a globalized polycultural world
Year 2. Unit 1. Practical Grammar. Syntax. Sentence. Members of Sentence.
Year 2. Unit 2. Practical Grammar. Agreement between the Subject and the Predicate. Composite Sentences. Word Order. Inversion. Punctuation

Assessment Elements

Exam Grammar
The examination in Practical Grammar in Module 2 will be held in LMS. To do this, students need to have access to the site https://lms.hse.ru/, as well as a login and a password to enter. Headphones and a microphone are not required. Students can enter the platform well in advance, but the assignments must be started at the set time. Students, who start the test earlier than the specified time, causing the system to crash, will receive 0 points for the whole test. If during the writing of the test, the Internet does not work for some time, the student continues the test until the connection is restored. If the connection does not resume, the student takes screenshots of their answers, written in the absence of Internet connection, and sends them to the teacher. If the answers for the task on translation overlap for 80% or more among different students of one group, 0 points are awarded for this task to all the students who have such a coincidence. Any applications sent after the end of the test writing time will not be accepted.
Exam Phonetics
Examples of Final Assessment: 1. Read the given joke; 2. Retell the given joke; 3. Dialogue by heart; 4. Reading sentences in accordance with the given intonation pattern. The final grade is calculated according to the formula: TG = O practice of speech * 0,25 + O grammar * 0,25 + O phonetics * 0,2 + O exam * 0,3
Exam Practice of Speech
In Module 3, Practice of Speech examination is taken on the examination week. The exam consists of two parts. A written part includes a lexical test. There are 40 questions in the test. The grade is calculated according to the following scale: 40p. – 10; 38-39p. – 9; 35-37p. – 8; 32-34p. – 7; 29-31p. – 6; 25-28p. – 5; 20-24p. – 4;15-20p. – 3; 10-14p. – 2; 4-9p. – 1; 0-3p. –0. An oral part includes 3 tasks: monologues, questions and answers, discussions. Oral part includes monologues, 3 questions and answers, discussion. For monologue and questions/answers part students form pairs. For discussions students form groups of 4. The maximum points for each exam element is 10: Monologue – 10 points. Questions and answers – 9 points + 1 point for active vocabulary. Discussion – 10 points. The Exam Grade is calculated according to the following formula - G exam= (G lexical test + G monologue+G questions/answers+G discussion)/4. The Exam Grade is rounded down from 0.1 to 0.5 and up from 0.6. Thus, 2.5 is rounded to 2.0; 2.6 – to 3.0
Grammar
The ongoing assessment in Grammar is calculated according to the formula: О = 0,2*Оtests + 0,2*Оcontact work + 0,1*ОLMS + 0,5*Оfinal test. The ongoing assessment (ОGrammar) is based on the following elements of control: 1) tests (О test = (О test 1 + О test 2 + …….) / О number of tests); 2) active contact work in class 3) tests in LMS; 4) final tests. At the end of each module the teacher indicates the date of deadline for checking the tests in LMS. If the tasks have not been completed by this date, the grades will be counted off, e.g. if a student got 7 out of 10-scale grading system but 5 compulsory tests were not done then the grade is 2 (7-5).
Phonetics
The teacher assesses the students` work during the classes: participation in dialogues and discussions, monologues and presentations, role-plays, written tasks fulfillment. The teacher assesses students` independent work in terms of homework completion of extensive reading and listening tasks. The grades are recorded in the register (decimal system 0-10), and the mean is calculated at the end of the year – Oaccum. The accumulated grade for a module includes the result of the ongoing control in the following way: Oaccum= 0,8* Оaud+ 0.2* Оtest Where Oaud is calculated as a sum of all forms of the ongoing control provisioned in the GSP (General Study Plan) and carried out during the classes.
Practice of Speech
The Current Grade in Practice of Speech is calculated according to the formula: О pr.o.sp. = 0,1*О contact work + 0,3*О quizzes + 0,3*О speaking/writing + 0,3*О final test 1. Contact work – student’s work in class/at home is comprised by the following constituent parts: attendance, active classroom participation, self-study activities. Each class you receive +/- for each constituent part. The number of pluses is calculated and then the following formula is applied: О CW = О cumulative * 9/О max. points. The maximum grade for this type of assessment is 9. You may earn 1extra point if you complete >90% of Smart LMS activities. Thus, you may receive 10 as the final grade for this type of assessment. If a seminar is held online, active classroom participation is graded under the condition that the student keeps their camera on. 2. Quizzes – lexical or academic style tests which are aimed at controlling new knowledge and skills formation, timely correction of reaching strategies. The maximum grade for this type of assessment is 10. To calculate the final (cumulative) grade for this type of assessment the following formula is applied: О quizzes = (О quiz 1 + О quiz 2 + …….)/О total number; If a seminar is held online, quizzes are graded graded under the condition that the student keeps their camera on. 3. Speaking and writing activities – monologues, debates, discussions, role-plays, round-table discussions, projects, written products. The maximum grade for this type of assessment is 10. To calculate the final (cumulative) grade for this type of assessment the following formula is applied: О speaking/writing = (О speaking 1 + О speaking 2 + …….)/О total number; If a seminar is held online, speaking and writing activities are graded graded under the condition that the student keeps their camera on. 4. Final tests – the lexical test on the entire Unit. The maximum grade for this type of assessment is 10. To calculate the final (cumulative) grade for this type of assessment the following formula is applied: О test = (О final test 1 + О final test 2 + …….)/О total number. If a seminar is held online, final tests are graded graded under the condition that the student keeps their camera on. Only the Current Grade is subject to rounding. It is rounded down from 0.1 to 0.5 and up from 0.6. Thus, 2.5 is rounded to 2.0; 2.6 – to 3.0
Final Exam
The exam consists of 2 parts: written and oral. The written part includes writing a report task. The oral part includes a discussion task.
Practice of Speech Year 2
The Current Grade in Practice of Speech is calculated according to the formula: G pr.o.sp. = 0,1*G contact work + 0,3*G quizzes + 0,3*G speaking/writing + 0,3*G final test 1. Contact work – student’s work in class is comprised by the following constituent parts: active classroom participation, demonstration of critical and original thinking, self-study activities. Each class you receive +/- for each constituent part. The number of pluses is calculated and then the following formula is applied: G CW = G cumulative * 9/G max. points. The maximum grade for this type of assessment is 9. You may earn 1extra point if you complete more than 90% of Smart LMS activities. Thus, you may receive 10 as the final grade for this type of assessment. If a seminar is held online, active classroom participation is graded under the condition that the student keeps their camera on. 2. Quizzes – lexical or academic style tests which are aimed at controlling new knowledge and skills formation, timely correction of reaching strategies. The maximum grade for this type of assessment is 10. To calculate the final (cumulative) grade for this type of assessment the following formula is applied: G quizzes = (G quiz 1 + G quiz 2 + …….)/G total number. If a seminar is held online, quizzes are graded graded under the condition that the student keeps their camera on. 3. Speaking and writing activities – monologues, debates, discussions, role-plays, round-table discussions, projects, written products. The maximum grade for this type of assessment is 10. To calculate the final (cumulative) grade for this type of assessment the following formula is applied: G speaking/writing = (G speaking 1 + G speaking 2 + …….)/G total number. If a seminar is held online, speaking and writing activities are graded graded under the condition that the student keeps their camera on. 4. Final tests – the lexical test on the entire Unit. The maximum grade for this type of assessment is 10. To calculate the final (cumulative) grade for this type of assessment the following formula is applied: G test = (G final test 1 + G final test 2 + …….)/G total number. If a seminar is held online, final tests are graded graded under the condition that the student keeps their camera on. Only the Total Grade is subject to rounding (the Current Grade is not rounded). It is rounded down from 0.1 to 0.5 and up from 0.6. Thus, 2.5 is rounded to 2.0; 2.6 – to 3.0
Grammar Year 2
In Module 1, the Final grade is calculated according to the formula: TG = O phonetics * 0,2 + O practice of speech tests * 0,2 + O practice of speech speaking/writing * 0,2 + O practice of speech contact work * 0,05 + O grammar classwork * 0,1 + O grammar LMS tasks * 0,05 + O grammar tests * 0,2 In Module 2, the Current Grade in Grammar is calculated according to the formula: G gr. = 0,25*G class work + 0,25*G LMS Tests + 0,5*G Intermediate tests In Module 2, grades received in both Module 1 and Module 2 are used in calculations. 1. Class work - Student’s work is comprised by the following constituent parts: attendance, active classroom participation, home assignment. Each of the three gives the student 1 point (3 points per class maximum). To calculate the final (cumulative) grade for this type of assessment, the following formula is applied: G class work = (G class 1 + Grade class 2...)/total number*33.3333333333333. The maximum grade for this type of assessment is 10. If a seminar is held online, active classroom participation is graded under the condition that the student keeps their camera on. 2. LMS tasks - online tests in LMS system. The students are given a list of tests that they need to do online asyncronically at their own pace for each module, and are informed about the deadlines. The maximum grade for this type of assessment is 10. To calculate the final (cumulative) grade for this type of assessment, the following formula is applied for each module: G LMS tests M1/2 = (G lms test 1 + G lms test 2 + ...)/total number. 3. Tests - grammar tests which are aimed at controlling new knowledge and skills formation, ability to apply the rules studied correctly. The maximum grade for this type of assessment is 10. To calculate the final (cumulative) grade for this type of assessment the following formula is applied: G tests = (G test 1 + G test 2 +...)/total number. If a seminar is held online, tests are graded under the condition that the student keeps their camera on. Only the Total Grade is subject to rounding (the Current Grade is not rounded). It is rounded down from 0.1 to 0.5 and up from 0.6.
Phonetics Year 2
The teacher assesses the students` work during the classes: participation in dialogues and discussions, monologues and presentations, role-plays, written tasks fulfillment. The teacher assesses students` independent work in terms of homework completion of extensive reading and listening tasks. The grades are recorded in the register (decimal system 0-10), and the mean is calculated at the end of the year – Oaccum. The accumulated grade for a module includes the result of the ongoing control in the following way: Oaccum= 0,8* Оaud+ 0.2* Оtest Where Oaud is calculated as a sum of all forms of the ongoing control provisioned in the GSP (General Study Plan) and carried out during the classes.
Practice of Speech Tests / Quizzes
Quizzes – lexical or academic style tests which are aimed at controlling new knowledge and skills formation, timely correction of reaching strategies. The maximum grade for this type of assessment is 10. To calculate the final (cumulative) grade for this type of assessment the following formula is applied: G quizzes = (G quiz/test 1 + G quiz/test 2 + …….)/G total number. If a seminar is held online, quizzes are graded graded under the condition that the student keeps their camera on.
Practice of Speech Speaking / Writing
Speaking and writing activities – monologues, debates, discussions, role-plays, round-table discussions, projects, written products. The maximum grade for this type of assessment is 10. To calculate the final (cumulative) grade for this type of assessment the following formula is applied: G speaking/writing = (G speaking 1 + G speaking 2 + …….)/G total number; If a seminar is held online, speaking and writing activities are graded graded under the condition that the student keeps their camera on.
Practice of Speech Contact Work
Student’s work in class is comprised by the following constituent parts: active classroom participation, demonstration of critical and original thinking, self-study activities.
Grammar Classwork
Class work - Student’s work is comprised by the following constituent parts: attendance, active classroom participation, home assignment. Each of the three gives the student 1 point (3 points per class maximum). To calculate the final (cumulative) grade for this type of assessment, the following formula is applied: G class work = (G class 1 + Grade class 2...)/total number*33.3333333333333. The maximum grade for this type of assessment is 10. If a seminar is held online, active classroom participation is graded under the condition that the student keeps their camera on.
Grammar LMS Tasks
LMS tasks - online tests in LMS system. The students are given a list of tests that they need to do online asyncronically at their own pace for each module, and are informed about the deadlines. The maximum grade for this type of assessment is 10. To calculate the final (cumulative) grade for this type of assessment, the following formula is applied for each module: G LMS tests M1/2 = (G lms test 1 + G lms test 2 + ...)/total number.
Grammar Tests
Tests - grammar tests which are aimed at controlling new knowledge and skills formation, ability to apply the rules studied correctly. The maximum grade for this type of assessment is 10. To calculate the final (cumulative) grade for this type of assessment the following formula is applied: G tests = (G test 1 + G test 2 +...)/total number. If a seminar is held online, tests are graded under the condition that the student keeps their camera on.
Phonetics Classwork
Phonetics Tests
Integrative test
The integrative test is based on he materials of all the aspects studied throughout the course (modules 1-2 of the 2nd year of studies). The task types are the following: Task 1. Fill in the gaps with the words that grammatically and lexically fit each gap. Task 2. Correct the mistakes in the following sentences. Task 3. Read the sentences below, Decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap. Task 4. Part 1. Rewrite the sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the given sentence, using the word(s) in brackets. Do not change the word(s) in brackets. Task 4. Part 2. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the words given in capitals.

Interim Assessment

2021/2022 2nd module
0.25 * Practice of Speech + 0.25 * Grammar + 0.3 * Exam Grammar + 0.2 * Phonetics
2021/2022 3rd module
0.2 * Phonetics + 0.25 * Grammar + 0.25 * Practice of Speech + 0.3 * Exam Practice of Speech
2021/2022 4th module
0.3 * Exam Phonetics + 0.25 * Practice of Speech + 0.2 * Phonetics + 0.25 * Grammar
2022/2023 1st module
0.2 * Practice of Speech Tests / Quizzes + 0.05 * Practice of Speech Contact Work + 0.2 * Grammar Tests + 0.1 * Phonetics Tests + 0.2 * Practice of Speech Speaking / Writing + 0.05 * Grammar LMS Tasks + 0.1 * Grammar Classwork + 0.1 * Phonetics Classwork
2022/2023 2nd module
0.1 * Integrative test + 0.25 * Practice of Speech Year 2 + 0.2 * Phonetics Year 2 + 0.2 * Final Exam + 0.25 * Grammar Year 2

Authors

KINDENOVA KSENIYA YUREVNA
BUDNIKOVA ALINA ALEKSANDROVNA
MARTIROSYAN ANNA ARMENOVNA
VASILYUK KSENIYA YUREVNA
BOGOLEPOVA SVETLANA VIKTOROVNA
CHIGIREVA EKATERINA SERGEEVNA

Course Syllabus